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Board previews tax levy options after state aid changes; district records declining enrollment
Summary
Administration told the board the district faces a higher tax levy estimate after state budget changes and a DPI recalculation; staff will present a budget and levy at a special Oct. 30 meeting. The district also reported it qualifies for the declining enrollment exemption after the September official count.
District administrators told the Board of Education they will bring a proposed budget and tax levy to a special meeting Oct. 30 after state budget changes and a DPI recalculation raised the levy estimate.
Administration said two developments drove the change: the state budget actions and a DPI estimate indicating the district would see roughly $1.1 million redistributed in the state aid formula to other districts. That combination pushed the projected tax levy from about 6% to just over 10% in preliminary estimates. The board directed staff to explore options, including refinancing existing debt and other one‑time measures, to bring the levy closer to the board’s earlier target near 6%.
The budget committee reviewed options including use of fund balance in the debt service fund (Fund 39) to make April 1 debt service payments, which would give the board time in 2026 to evaluate refinancing, use of one‑time reimbursements, or referendum savings before making longer‑term decisions.
Administrators also reported the official September “third Friday” enrollment count required by DPI puts the district into the declining enrollment exemption under the revenue limit. Staff said the decline is driven by a relatively large graduating senior class and a smaller incoming kindergarten class. The district will present additional details at the end‑of‑month special meeting and in planned community finance sessions in November.
The board did not take final action at the meeting; administration will present a tax levy and budget proposal for board consideration at the Oct. 30 special meeting.
